Wallet for Mobile Electronic Device or Mobile Electronic Device Case

ABSTRACT

A wallet kit including a wallet with a housing that has a front wallet wall, a rear wallet wall opposite to the front wallet wall, an upper wallet wall, a lower wallet wall opposite to the upper wallet wall, a first wallet side wall between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall, and a second wallet side wall, opposite to the first wallet side wall and between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall. A wallet pocket configured to hold a card is formed by the front wallet wall, the rear wallet wall, the upper wallet wall, the lower wallet wall, and the second wallet side wall. A first wallet opening is formed in the first wallet side wall, and is configured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket. An elastomeric wheel is arranged inside the wallet pocket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wallet for a mobile electronic deviceor a mobile electronic device case. The wallet has a pocket or pouchconfigured to hold cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, personal IDcards, driver licenses, and the like. An axle with an elastomeric wheelis arranged inside the pocket or pouch. The elastomeric wheel applies aforce to an edge of a card arranged in the pocket or pouch so as tosecurely hold the card in the pocket or pouch.

The wallet may be part of a wallet kit that includes a holder that isconfigured to be attached to the back of the case or mobile electronicdevice. The holder is also configured and sized to removably hold thewallet so that the wallet can be easily attached to and removed from thecase or mobile electronic device via the holder.

Wallets for cases and mobile electronic devices have typically beendesigned either as part of the case (i.e., irremovable therefrom) or asa separate device that attaches to the back of a case or mobileelectronic device via adhesive. Both of these designs present problems.For example, wallets that are part of the case can make the case toothick to allow for wireless electric charging (e.g., inductive charging)of the electronic device while it is in the case. This requires a userto remove the electronic device from the case in order to wirelesslycharge the electronic device. Adhesive wallets that attach to the backof a case can also make the case too thick for wireless charging. And ifsuch a separate adhesive wallet is attached directly to the back of theelectronic device itself, then wireless charging can become completelyimpossible without removing the adhesive wallet, thereby destroying theadhesive and making the wallet useless for its intended purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, it is desirable to provide a new wallet for a mobile electronicdevice or mobile electronic device case that can be removably attachedto the back of the case of electronic device without adhesive. Thisassists in wireless electrical charging. It also makes it easy totemporarily separate the wallet from the case or electronic device sothat the wallet can be slipped into a pocket or bag separately for easeof transportation or for being carried into an environment whereelectrical devices are not permitted.

Another advantage of the invention is the ability to attach the walletto the case or electronic device in multiple configurations ororientations, so that in at least one configuration or orientation theitems in the wallet are not accessible and cannot easily slip out or beremoved.

It is also desirable to provide a new wallet that has a mechanism forsecurely retaining cards in the wallet without significantly increasingthe thickness of the wallet. This can be achieved by incorporating anelastomeric wheel—for example as described below—into the inside of thewallet. The elastomeric wheel would hold cards inside the wallet byapplying a force or pressure in a length or width direction to an edgeof the cards rather than in a thickness direction to one of the twofaces of the cards. By incorporating a device that applies pressure in alength or width direction as opposed to a thickness direction, thethickness of the wallet can be reduced, possibly enabling wirelesselectrical charging even if the wallet is attached to the case orelectronic device.

According to the present invention there is therefore provided a casefor a mobile device as described by way of example below and in theaccompanying claims.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a wallet kit (1)for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case. Thewallet kit (1) includes a wallet (2) with a housing (4) that has a frontwallet wall (5), a rear wallet wall (6), an upper wallet wall (7), alower wallet wall (8), a first wallet side wall (9), and a second walletside wall (10). The rear wallet wall (6) is opposite to the front walletwall (5). The upper wallet wall (7) connects an upper end of the rearwallet wall (6) to an upper end of the front wallet wall (5). The lowerwallet wall (8) is opposite to the upper wallet wall (7), and connects alower end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a lower end of the front walletwall (5). The first wallet side wall (9) is between the upper walletwall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a first side end ofthe rear wallet wall (6) to a first side end of the front wallet wall(5). The second wallet side wall (10) is between the upper wallet wall(7) and the lower wallet wall (8), and connects a second side end of therear wallet wall (6) to a second side end of the front wallet wall (5).A wallet pocket (11) configured to hold a card is formed by the frontwallet wall (5), the rear wallet wall (6), the upper wallet wall (7),the lower wallet wall (8), and the second wallet side wall (10). A firstwallet opening (12) is formed in the first wallet side wall (9), and isconfigured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket (11).An elastomeric wheel (13) is arranged inside the wallet pocket (11).

In another embodiment, the wallet kit (1) further includes an axle (14)around which the elastomeric wheel (13) is arranged.

In yet another embodiment, the housing (4) further has an axle opening(27) configured to accept insertion of the axle (14) with theelastomeric wheel (13) there-around into the wallet pocket (11).

In a further embodiment, wherein the housing (4) further has a secondwallet opening (15) formed in the front wall (5) which allows access toa card when arranged in the wallet pocket (11), the second opening (15)being different from the first wallet opening (12).

In yet a further embodiment, the first wallet opening (12) is alsoformed the front wall (5) so that the front wall (5) has a shape like anhourglass as a result of the first and second wallet openings (12, 15).

In another embodiment, the housing (4) includes at least one materialselected from the group consisting of hardened plastic materials, rigidor semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonatematerials, para-aramid materials, wood, and combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the wallet kit (1) further includes a holder(3) that has a front side (16) configured to attach to the wallet (2),and a rear side (17) opposite to the front side (16) configured toattach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or a mobile electronicdevice case.

In a further embodiment, the holder (3) further has a holder pocket (22)configured to accept the wallet (2).

In yet a further embodiment, the holder (3) further has an attachmentmechanism (23, 24) configured to securely attach the wallet (2) to theholder (3).

In another embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a firstattachment recess or opening (28). The attachment mechanism (23, 24)includes a first protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and beaccepted by the first attachment recess or opening (28) when the wallet(2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the rear wallet wall (6)located between the holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).

In yet another embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has asecond attachment recess or opening (29). The attachment mechanism (23,24) further includes a second protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit intoand be accepted by the second attachment recess or opening (29) when thewallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the rear walletwall (6) located between the holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).

In a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a thirdattachment recess or opening (30). The attachment mechanism (23, 24)includes a first protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and beaccepted by the third attachment recess or opening (30) when the wallet(2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the front wallet wall (5)located between the holder (3) and the rear wallet wall (6).

In yet a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has afourth attachment recess or opening (31). The attachment mechanism (23,24) further includes a second protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit intoand be accepted by the fourth attachment recess or opening (29) when thewallet (2) is arranged in the holder pocket (22) with the front walletwall (5) located between the holder (3) and the rear wallet wall (6).

In another embodiment, the holder (3) further has: a rear holder wall(32); an upper holder wall (18) that extends from an upper end of therear holder wall (32); a lower holder wall (19) that is opposite to theupper holder wall (18), and which extends from a lower end of the rearholder wall (32); a first holder side wall (20) that is between theupper holder wall (18) and the lower holder wall (19), and which extendsfrom the rear holder wall (32); and a second holder side wall (21) thatis between the upper holder wall (18) and the lower holder wall (19),and which extends from the rear holder wall (32). The holder pocket (22)is formed by the rear holder wall (32), the upper holder wall (18), thelower holder wall (19), the first holder side wall (20), and the secondholder side wall (21).

In yet another embodiment, the first protrusion (23, 24) extends fromthe upper end of the rear holder wall (32), the first protrusion beingseparate from the upper holder wall (18) and arranged between a firstpart (18 a) of the upper holder wall (18) and a second part (18 b) ofthe upper holder wall (18).

In a further embodiment, the first protrusion (23, 24) extends from thelower holder wall (19), the first protrusion being part of the lowerholder wall (19).

In yet a further embodiment, a first holder opening (25) is formed inthe first holder side wall (20), the first holder opening (25)corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening (12) or thesecond wallet opening (15) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holderpocket (22).

In another embodiment, a second holder opening (26) is formed in thesecond holder side wall (21), the second holder opening (26)corresponding to and aligning with the first wallet opening (12) or thesecond wallet opening (15) when the wallet (2) is arranged in the holderpocket (22).

In yet another embodiment, there is provided a wallet kit (1) for amobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case. The walletkit (1) includes a wallet (2) and a holder (3). The wallet (2) includesa housing (4) that has a front wallet wall (5), a rear wallet wall (6),an upper wallet wall (7), a lower wallet wall (8), a first wallet sidewall (9), and a second wallet side wall (10). The rear wallet wall (6)is opposite to the front wallet wall (5). The upper wallet wall (7)connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall (6) to an upper end of thefront wallet wall (5). The lower wallet wall (8) is opposite to theupper wallet wall (7), and connects a lower end of the rear wallet wall(6) to a lower end of the front wallet wall (5). The first wallet sidewall (9) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall(8), and connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to afirst side end of the front wallet wall (5). The second wallet side wall(10) is between the upper wallet wall (7) and the lower wallet wall (8),and connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall (6) to a secondside end of the front wallet wall (5). A wallet pocket (11) configuredto hold a card is formed by the front wallet wall (5), the rear walletwall (6), the upper wallet wall (7), the lower wallet wall (8), and thesecond wallet side wall (10). A first wallet opening (12) is formed inthe first wallet side wall (9), and is configured to accept insertion ofthe card into the wallet pocket (11). The holder (3) has a front side(16) configured to removably attach to the wallet (2), and a rear side(17) opposite to the front side (16) and configured to attach to a rearof the mobile electronic device or the mobile electronic device case.

In a further embodiment, the housing (4) of the wallet (2) has a firstattachment recess or opening (28). The holder (3) further has anattachment mechanism (23, 24) configured to securely attach the wallet(2) to the holder (3). The attachment mechanism (23, 24) includes afirst protrusion (23, 24) configured to fit into and be accepted by thefirst attachment recess or opening (28) when the wallet (2) is arrangedin the holder pocket (22) with the rear wallet wall (6) located betweenthe holder (3) and the front wallet wall (5).

It is noted that the features of the above-described embodiments are notexclusive to each other, and that any one of the aboveembodiments/features can be combined with one or more of the otherembodiments/features to arrive at further embodiments.

The inventive case can be designed to fit a variety of mobiledevices—such as smartphones and other portable electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the wallet kit (1) inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2)detached from the holder (3).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wallet (2) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the wallet (2) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the wallet (2) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the wallet (2) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wallet (2) in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the wallet (2) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the holder (3) in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the holder (3) in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the wallet kit (1) in accordance withan embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2) connected to theholder (3) in a first orientation.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wallet kit (1) in accordance withan embodiment of the invention with the wallet (2) connected to theholder (3) in a third orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional inthis art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However,because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussionof such elements is not provided herein.

The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis ofexemplary embodiments. It is noted that any numerical ranges disclosedherein are included to individually disclose every sub-range and number,both whole integer and partial fraction, within the disclosed range. Forexample, a disclosed range of 1-100 is intended to individually disclose20-90, 40-80, 30.5-50.2, 20, 67.3, 84.512924, and every other range andnumber that falls within the recited range.

The wallet 2 is formed by a housing 4 that has a front wallet wall 5 arear wallet wall 6, an upper wallet wall 7, a lower wallet wall 8, afirst wallet side wall 9, a second wallet side wall 10.

The upper wallet wall 7 connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall 6to an upper end of the front wallet wall 5. The lower wallet wall 8 isopposite to the upper wallet wall 7, and connects a lower end of therear wallet wall 6 to a lower end of the front wallet wall 5. The firstwallet side wall 9 is between the upper wallet wall 7 and the lowerwallet wall 8, and connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall 6to a first side end of the front wallet wall 5. The second wallet sidewall 10 is between the upper wallet wall 7 and the lower wallet wall 8,and connects a second side end of the rear wallet wall 6 to a secondside end of the front wallet wall 5.

The front, rear, upper, lower, and second wallet side walls (5, 6, 7, 8,10) form a wallet pocket 11 that is configured to hold a card, such asan electronic payment card, credit card, debit card, personal ID card,driver license, RFID card, electronic access card, and the like. A firstwallet opening 12 is formed in the first wallet side wall 9, and isconfigured to accept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket 11.

The housing 4 is preferably formed from a rigid or hard material tocreate a rigid/hard shell which provides at least some impact protectionas well as protection from being punctured by impacts with sharpobjects. Examples of suitable hard/rigid materials include hardenedplastic material, a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, a rigid/hardrubber material, a polycarbonate material, a para-aramid material, wood,and any combination thereof, and may be any color or texture. Preferredmaterials include thermosetting plastics with a hard durometer havingshore 30 D to shore 100 D, polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate)(“PMMA”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), PMMA, polyethyleneterephthalate (“PET”), high durometer thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”)and thermoplastic polyurethanes (“TPUs”) having shore 30 D to shore 100D, and any combination thereof. Preferably, the hard/rigid material ofthe housing 4 is nonelastomeric. The hard protective shell may bedesigned to mimic the finish of existing mobile electronic devices, suchas phones, MP3/4 players, tablets, laptops, and other mobile electronicdevices. Many users like the feel of the original phone and would liketo maintain that feel. Alternatively, the exterior of the housing 4could be formed with a textured surface to make it easier to grip andhold the wallet 2.

The housing 4 may also include or be formed from at least oneRF-shielding material that blocks, shields, or substantially interfereswith RF (radio frequency) and/or RFID (radio-frequency identification)signals. Examples of suitable RF-shielding materials include metals(e.g, copper, nickle, a ferrous metal, ferrous sheet metal, steel plate,metal foils, and the like), a galvanized sheet metal plate, a sheetmetal plate having a thickness of between 0.25 and 0.75 mm, andferromagnetic materials.

Preferably the housing 4 is a single monobody unit formed, preferablymolded, from a single piece of material. Alternatively, the housing 4may be formed from two pieces of material that are bonded together, suchas by ultrasonic welding or co-molding.

An elastomeric wheel 13 around an axle 14 is arranged inside the walletpocket 11. In one embodiment, the elastomeric wheel 13 and axle 14 areinserted into the wallet pocket 11 through an axle opening 27 formed inthe housing 4. The elastomeric wheel 13 is arranged in the wallet pocket11 at a distance from the upper wallet wall 7 that is slightly less thanthe length dimension of the card to be arranged in the wallet pocket 11.In this way, the elastomeric wheel 13 deforms when the card is insertedinto the wallet pocket 11 so as to apply pressure or force to the cardto bias the card against the upper wallet wall 7. This biasing forcesecurely retains the card in the wallet pocket 11 and prevents the cardfrom accidentally falling out.

The elastomeric wheel 13 is preferably formed from a soft elastomericmaterial. Examples of suitable materials include thermoplasticelastomers (“TPEs”), thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”), polyolefins,silicone, rubber, and any combination thereof.

The axle 14 is preferably formed from any of the rigid or hard materialslisted above for the wallet 2, or any combination thereof.

The housing 4 also has a second wallet opening 15 formed in the frontwall 5 which allows access to a card when arranged in the wallet pocket11. This second wallet opening 15 can be used as a thumb or finger holeby a user to assist in removing objects inside the wallet pocket 11 viathe first wallet opening 12.

In the embodiment in the drawings, the first wallet opening 12 is alsoformed the front wall 5 so that the front wall 5 has a shape like anhourglass as a result of the first and second wallet openings 12, 15.

The wallet 2 may be configured to attach directly to a mobile electronicdevice or mobile electronic device case, such as by an adhesive oradhesive strip arranged on the rear wallet wall 6. Preferably though,the wallet 2 does not include any adhesive or adhesive strip, butinstead attaches to the electronic device or case via a holder 3, aswill be described below.

Alternatively, the wallet 2 may be part of a wallet kit 1 thatadditionally includes a holder 3 for holding the wallet 2 to a mobileelectronic device or mobile electronic device case, thereby eliminatingthe need for an adhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear walletwall 6. The holder 3 has a front side 16 and a rear side 17. The frontside 16 is configured to attach to the wallet 2. The rear side 17 isconfigured to attach to a rear of the mobile electronic device or amobile electronic device case, such as by an adhesive or adhesive striparranged on the rear side 17. The holder 3 has a holder pocket 22configured to accept the wallet 2.

In one embodiment, the holder 3 can be part of and integral with a casefor a mobile electronic device. This would eliminate the need for anadhesive or adhesive strip arranged on the rear side 17 of the holder 3.In all other respects, the integral holder 3 would be similar to andhave the same components of the separate adhesively attachable holder 3.

An attachment mechanism (23, 24) is configured to securely attach thewallet 2 to the holder 3. For example, the housing 4 of the wallet 2 mayhave a first attachment recess or opening 28, and the attachmentmechanism (23, 24) may include a first protrusion 23 configured to fitinto and be accepted by the first attachment recess or opening 28 whenthe wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 with the rear walletwall 6 located between the holder 3 and the front wallet wall 5.

The housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a second attachment recessor opening 29. The attachment mechanism (23, 24) may than furtherinclude a second protrusion 24 configured to fit into and be accepted bythe second attachment recess or opening 29 when the wallet 2 is arrangedin the holder pocket 22 with the rear wallet wall 6 located between theholder 3 and the front wallet wall 5.

Preferably the first and second protrusions 23, 24 are formedsymmetrically, as are the first and second attachment recesses oropenings 28, 29. In this way, the wallet 2 can be secured inside theholder pocket 22 with either the first protrusion 23 arranged in thefirst attachment recess or opening 28 and the second protrusion 24arranged in the second attachment recess or opening 29, or the firstprotrusion 23 arranged in the second attachment recess or opening 29 andthe second protrusion 24 arranged in the first attachment recess oropening 28. This allows the wallet 2 to be held by the holder 3 in atleast two different orientations.

The housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a third attachment recess oropening 30. The first protrusion 23 of the attachment mechanism (23, 24)may then be configured to fit into and be accepted by the thirdattachment recess or opening 30 when the wallet 2 is arranged in theholder pocket 22 with the front wallet wall 5 located between the holder3 and the rear wallet wall 6.

And the housing 4 of the wallet 2 may also have a fourth attachmentrecess or opening 31. The second protrusion 24 of the attachmentmechanism (23, 24) may then be configured to fit into and be accepted bythe fourth attachment recess or opening 29 when the wallet 2 is arrangedin the holder pocket 22 with the front wallet wall 5 located between theholder 3 and the rear wallet wall 6.

Preferably the first and second protrusions 23, 24 are formedsymmetrically, as are the third and fourth attachment recesses oropenings 30, 31. In this way, the wallet 2 can be secured inside theholder pocket 22 with either the first protrusion 23 arranged in thethird attachment recess or opening 30 and the second protrusion 24arranged in the fourth attachment recess or opening 31, or the firstprotrusion 23 arranged in the fourth attachment recess or opening 31 andthe second protrusion 24 arranged in the third attachment recess oropening 30. This allows the wallet 2 to be held by the holder 3 in anadditional two different orientations. In this way, the wallet 2 may beheld by the holder 3 in four different orientations.

When the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in either of thefirst or second orientations with the rear wallet wall 6 located betweenthe holder 3 and the front wallet wall 5 (FIG. 16), the portion of thefirst wallet opening 12 formed in the front wallet wall 5 and the secondwallet opening 15 are able to be accessed by a user so that one or morecards can be inserted into and removed from the wallet pocket 11.

On the other hand, when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22in either of the third or fourth orientations with the front wallet wall5 located between the holder 3 and the rear wallet wall 6 (FIG. 17),then the portion of the first wallet opening 12 formed in the frontwallet wall 5 and the second wallet opening 15 are covered by the rearwallet wall 6.

While a user may be able to insert cards into the wallet pocket 11 whenthe wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in either of the thirdor fourth orientations (FIG. 17), such a user cannot access any of thecards arranged in the wallet pocket 11 to remove them without firstdetaching the wallet 2 from the holder 3. This prevents cards from beingaccidentally removed from the wallet pocket 11 or easily removed fromthe wallet pocket 11 by a thief. This also allows for visual security,fully covering the cards and allowing for the user to feel more safe inpublic.

The holder 3 further has a rear holder wall 32. An upper holder wall 18extends from an upper end of the rear holder wall 32. A lower holderwall 19 is opposite to the upper holder wall 18, and extends from alower end of the rear holder wall 32. A first holder side wall 20 isarranged between the upper holder wall 18 and the lower holder wall 19,and extends from the rear holder wall 32. A second holder side wall 21is arranged between the upper holder wall 18 and the lower holder wall19, and extends from the rear holder wall 32. The holder pocket 22 isformed by the rear holder wall 32, the upper holder wall 18, the lowerholder wall 19, the first holder side wall 20, and the second holderside wall 21.

While the embodiments of the drawings show the rear holder wall 32 as asolid wall, the rear holder wall 32 may alternatively include an openingor window to expose the rear side of the case or mobile electronicdevice to assist in wireless electrical charging.

Preferably the first protrusion 23 extends from the upper end of therear holder wall 32, and is separate from the upper holder wall 18 andarranged between a first part 18 a of the upper holder wall 18 and asecond part 18 b of the upper holder wall 18. This allows the firstprotrusion 23 to be a flexible protrusion that bends or rotates, withrespect to the rear holder wall 32, away from the upper holder wall 18.This flexible protrusion 23 makes it easier to connect the wallet 2 tothe holder 3 and to remove the wallet 2 from the holder 3.

The second protrusion 24 may extend from the lower holder wall 19, thefirst protrusion being part of and integral to the lower holder wall 19.In this way the second protrusion 24 is an inflexible rigid protrusionthat does not bend or rotate with respect to the rear holder wall 32 orthe lower holder wall 19. This rigid protrusion 24 assists in securelyconnect the wallet 2 to the holder 3 so that the wallet 2 does notaccidentally or unintentionally disconnect from the holder 3.

While the embodiments in the drawings show the first protrusion 23 as aflexible protrusion, the first protrusion 23 may instead be formed as arigid protrusion. Similarly, while the embodiments in the drawings showthe first protrusion 24 is an inflexible rigid protrusion, the firstprotrusion 23 may instead be formed as a flexible protrusion. As such,both the first and second protrusions 23, 24 may be formed as flexibleprotrusions, or both the first and second protrusion 23, 24 may beformed as rigid protrusions. Preferably, at least one of the first andsecond protrusion 23, 24 is a flexible protrusion to assist in attachingand removing the wallet 2 to and from the holder 3.

The holder 3 may also include a first holder opening 25 formed in thefirst holder side wall 20 to correspond to and align with the firstwallet opening 12 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22in the first or fourth orientations, or the second wallet opening 15when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in the second orthird orientations.

And the holder 3 may additionally include a second holder opening 26formed in the second holder side wall 21 to correspond to and align withsecond wallet opening 15 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holderpocket 22 in the first or fourth orientations, or the first walletopening 12 when the wallet 2 is arranged in the holder pocket 22 in thesecond or third orientations.

While the embodiments of the drawings show four attachment recesses oropenings 28-31, the housing 4 may alternatively have only two attachmentrecesses or openings, each attachment recess or opening being formed inthe center of the upper and lower wallet walls 7, 8 rather than offsettherefrom. This would allow the wallet 2 to still be arranged in thefour orientations described above, but with fewer recesses or openingsthat could potentially get clogged with debris when not in use.

The outside surface of the wallet 2 may be provided with a scratchresistant UV hardcoat, which resists scratches and preventsdiscoloration of the case due to UV exposure.

The outside surface of the wallet 2 may also have an antimicrobialmaterial coated on one or more surfaces (e.g., one or more exteriorsurfaces of the wallet 2 facing away from the wallet pocket 11) orembedded within the housing 4.

Examples of antimicrobial materials include silver or silver alloy(e.g., silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate), copper or copperalloy, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g.,dimethyloctadecyl (3-trimethoxysilyl propyl) ammonium chloride,alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, and didecyldimethylammoniumchloride), chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine incorporated hydroxyapatitematerials, chlorhexidine-containing polymers (e.g.,chlorhexidine-containing polylactide), and antibiotics (e.g.,gentamicin, cephalothin, carbenicillin, amoxicillin, cefamandol,tobramycin, vancomycin).

Examples of antimicrobial coatings include coatings containing one ormore of the above antimicrobial materials, chlorhexidine-containingpolylactide coatings on an anodized surface, and polymer and calciumphosphate coatings with chlorhexidine.

In addition, or alternatively, the housing 4 may include anantimicrobial surface treatment. For example, one or more surfaces(e.g., one or more exterior surfaces of the wallet 2 facing away fromthe wallet pocket 11) may be formed as or made to be a superhydrophobicsurface—such as a low energy, generally rough surface on which water hasa contact angle (i.e., the angle at which the liquid-vapor interfacemeets the solid-liquid interface) of >150°.

Forming the housing 4 with an antimicrobial material, antimicrobialcoating, antimicrobial surface treatment, or any combination thereofhelps to keep the outside of the wallet 2 clean and reduce/minimize thepresence of microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.), therebyhelping to prevent the hand-to-hand spread of related sicknesses,illnesses, or diseases.

The holder 3 may also be designed so that there are no gaps between thehousing 4 of the wallet 2 and the surfaces of the holder 3 forming theholder pocket 22. This enables the holder 3 to have a very solidconnection to the wallet 2.

The walls 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 32 of each of the housing 4and holder 3 are preferably 0.5-4.0 mm thick. Preferably one or more ofthe walls is 0.6-3.0 mm thick. More preferably, one or more of the wallsis 0.8-2.0 mm thick. Even more preferably, one or more of the walls is0.9-1.3 mm thick.

The holder 3 may be formed from any of the rigid or hard materialslisted above for the wallet 2, or any combination thereof. Preferablythe holder 2 is not formed from and does not include any of theRF-shielding materials listed above so that the holder 3 does notinterfere with wireless electrical charging of an electronic deviceconnected to the holder 3. As such, it is preferably to form the holder2 from a rigid or hard nonmetallic material that is RF-transparent suchthat RF transmissions can be transmitted through the holder 3. Examplesof suitable nonmetallic RF-transparent hard/rigid materials includehardened plastic material, a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, arigid/hard rubber material, a polycarbonate material, a para-aramidmaterial, wood, glass, quartz, and any combination thereof, and may beany color or texture. Preferred materials include thermosetting plasticswith a hard durometer having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, polycarbonate,poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(“ABS”), PMMA, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), high durometerthermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) and thermoplastic polyurethanes(“TPUs”) having shore 30 D to shore 100 D, and any combination thereof.The holder 3 may be designed to mimic the finish of existing mobiledevices, such as phones, MP3/4 players, tablets, laptops, electronicsafety devices, and other mobile electronic devices. Many users like thefeel of the original electronic device and would like to maintain thatfeel. The material used for the holder 3 preferably has a lowcoefficient of friction. This allows the electronic device attached tothe holder 3 to be slipped in and out of pockets easily with littleresistance and without gripping to clothing materials like elastomericmaterials do.

It is noted that the terminology used above is for the purpose ofreference only, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, termssuch as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “rightward”, “leftward”,“clockwise”, and “counterclockwise” refer to directions in the drawingsto which reference is made. As another example, terms such as “inward”and “outward” may refer to directions toward and away from,respectively, the geometric center of the component described. As afurther example, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “side”, “left side”,“right side”, “top”, “bottom”, “horizontal”, and “vertical” describe theorientation of portions of the component within a consistent butarbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to thetext and the associated drawings describing the component underdiscussion. Such terminology will include the words specificallymentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as defined in the following claims.

In addition, it is noted that citation or identification of any documentin this application is not an admission that such document is availableas prior art to the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 wallet kit-   2 wallet-   3 holder-   4 wallet housing-   5 wallet front wall-   6 wallet rear wall-   7 wallet upper wall-   8 wallet lower wall-   9 wallet first side wall-   10 wallet second side wall-   11 wallet pocket-   12 first opening in wallet-   13 elastomeric wheel-   14 axle-   15 second opening in wallet-   16 holder front side-   17 holder rear side-   18 holder upper wall-   19 holder lower wall-   20 holder first side wall-   21 holder second side wall-   22 holder pocket-   23 flexible protrusion-   24 rigid protrusion-   25 first opening in holder-   26 second opening in holder-   27 axle opening-   28 first attachment recess or opening-   29 second attachment recess or opening-   30 third attachment recess or opening-   31 fourth attachment recess or opening-   32 holder rear wall

1. A wallet kit for a mobile electronic device or a mobile electronicdevice case, the wallet kit comprising: a wallet comprising: a housingthat has: a front wallet wall; a rear wallet wall opposite to the frontwallet wall; an upper wallet wall that connects an upper end of the rearwallet wall to an upper end of the front wallet wall; a lower walletwall that is opposite to the upper wallet wall, and which connects alower end of the rear wallet wall to a lower end of the front walletwall; a first wallet side wall that is between the upper wallet wall andthe lower wallet wall, and which connects a first side end of the rearwallet wall to a first side end of the front wallet wall; a secondwallet side wall that is between the upper wallet wall and the lowerwallet wall, and which connects a second side end of the rear walletwall to a second side end of the front wallet wall; a wallet pocket thatis formed by the front wallet, the rear wallet wall, the upper walletwall, the lower wallet wall, and the second wallet side wall, the walletpocket being configured to hold a card; and a first wallet opening thatis formed in the first wallet side wall, and which is configured toaccept insertion of the card into the wallet pocket; an elastomericwheel arranged inside the wallet pocket.
 2. The wallet kit according toclaim 1, further comprising: an axle around which the elastomeric wheelis arranged.
 3. The wallet kit according to claim 2; wherein the housingfurther has: an axle opening configured to accept insertion of the axlewith the elastomeric wheel there-around into the wallet pocket.
 4. Thewallet kit according to claim 1; wherein the housing further has: asecond wallet opening formed in the front wall which allows access to acard when arranged in the wallet pocket, the second opening beingdifferent from the first wallet opening.
 5. The wallet kit according toclaim 4; wherein the first wallet opening is also formed the front wallso that the front wall has a shape like an hourglass as a result of thefirst and second wallet openings.
 6. The wallet kit according to claim1; wherein the housing comprises at least one material selected from thegroup consisting of hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigidplastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonate materials,para-aramid materials, wood, and combinations thereof.
 7. The wallet kitaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a holder that has: a frontside configured to removably attach to the wallet; and a rear sideopposite to the front side configured to attach to a rear of the mobileelectronic device or the mobile electronic device case.
 8. The walletkit according to claim 7; wherein the holder further has: a holderpocket configured to accept the wallet.
 9. The wallet kit according toclaim 8; wherein the holder further has: an attachment mechanismconfigured to securely attach the wallet to the holder.
 10. The walletkit according to claim 9; wherein the housing of the wallet has a firstattachment recess or opening; wherein the attachment mechanismcomprises: a first protrusion configured to fit into and be accepted bythe first attachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged inthe holder pocket with the rear wallet wall located between the holderand the front wallet wall.
 11. The wallet kit according to claim 10;wherein the housing of the wallet has a second attachment recess oropening; wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises: a secondprotrusion configured to fit into and be accepted by the secondattachment recess or opening when the wallet is arranged in the holderpocket with the rear wallet wall located between the holder and thefront wallet wall.
 12. The wallet kit (1) according to claim 9; whereinthe housing of the wallet has a third attachment recess or opening;wherein the attachment mechanism comprises: a first protrusionconfigured to fit into and be accepted by the third attachment recess oropening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the frontwallet wall located between the holder and the rear wallet wall.
 13. Thewallet kit according to claim 12; wherein the housing of the wallet hasa fourth attachment recess or opening; wherein the attachment mechanismfurther comprises: a second protrusion configured to fit into and beaccepted by the fourth attachment recess or opening when the wallet isarranged in the holder pocket with the front wallet wall located betweenthe holder and the rear wallet wall.
 14. The wallet kit according toclaim 10; wherein the holder further has: a rear holder wall; an upperholder wall that extends from an upper end of the rear holder wall; alower holder wall that is opposite to the upper holder wall, and whichextends from a lower end of the rear holder wall; a first holder sidewall that is between the upper holder wall the lower holder wall, andwhich extends from the rear holder wall; and a second holder side wallthat is between the upper holder wall and the lower holder wall, andwhich extends from the rear holder wall; and wherein the holder pocketis formed by the rear holder wall, the upper holder wall, the lowerholder wall, the first holder side wall, and the second holder sidewall.
 15. The wallet kit according to claim 14; wherein the firstprotrusion extends from the upper end of the rear holder wall, the firstprotrusion being separate from the upper holder wall and arrangedbetween a first part of the upper holder wall and a second part of theupper holder wall.
 16. The wallet kit according to claim 14; wherein thefirst protrusion extends from the lower holder wall, the firstprotrusion being part of the lower holder wall.
 17. The wallet kitaccording to claim 14; wherein a first holder opening is formed in thefirst holder side wall, the first holder opening corresponding to andaligning with the first wallet opening or the second wallet opening whenthe wallet is arranged in the holder pocket.
 18. The wallet kitaccording to claim 14; wherein a second holder opening is formed in thesecond holder side wall, the second holder opening corresponding to andaligning with the first wallet opening or the second wallet opening whenthe wallet is arranged in the holder pocket.
 19. A wallet kit for amobile electronic device or a mobile electronic device case, the walletkit comprising: a wallet comprising: a housing that has: a front walletwall; a rear wallet wall opposite to the front wallet wall; an upperwallet wall that connects an upper end of the rear wallet wall to anupper end of the front wallet wall; a lower wallet wall that is oppositeto the upper wallet wall, and which connects a lower end of the rearwallet wall to a lower end of the front wallet wall; a first wallet sidewall that is between the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall,and which connects a first side end of the rear wallet wall to a firstside end of the front wallet wall; a second wallet side wall that isbetween the upper wallet wall and the lower wallet wall, and whichconnects a second side end of the rear wallet wall to a second side endof the front wallet wall; a wallet pocket that is formed by the frontwallet wall, the rear wallet wall, the upper wallet wall, the lowerwallet wall, and the second wallet side wall, the wallet pocket beingconfigured to hold a card; and a first wallet opening that is formed inthe first wallet side wall, and which is configured to accept insertionof the card into the wallet pocket; and a holder that has: a front sideconfigured to removably attach to the wallet; and a rear side oppositeto the front side configured to attach to a rear of the mobileelectronic device or the mobile electronic device case.
 20. The walletkit according to claim 19; wherein the housing of the wallet has a firstattachment recess or opening; wherein the holder further has anattachment mechanism configured to securely attach the wallet to theholder, the attachment mechanism comprising: a first protrusionconfigured to fit into and be accepted by the first attachment recess oropening when the wallet is arranged in the holder pocket with the rearwallet wall located between the holder and the front wallet wall.